What costs should I ask about before buying a mattress store franchise?

The headline numbers in a franchise offering may not tell a buyer what the store costs to run month by month. A mattress showroom has recurring costs that a clothing or food franchise does not. Writing them down line by line, with the seller’s actual records beside the franchisor’s figures, lets you compare what the store really spends with what you were told.

Display beds and showroom costs

Ask how many display beds the store needs, who owns them and how often the franchisor or supplier expects them to be refreshed. Then ask about the showroom lease: its term, renewal rights and whether the size suits the appointment model. A small showroom can lower rent, so check when the lease ends and what renewal terms it offers.

Delivery, removal and returns

Many customers expect delivery, set-up and removal of the old mattress. Ask who performs it, what it costs the store and whether customers are charged. Ask how exchanges and returns are handled, what the supplier covers and what the store absorbs. A policy that looks generous in the brochure can quietly reduce what the owner keeps. The seller’s records show what happened in practice.

Fees paid to the franchisor

Ask about every fee that goes to the franchisor: ongoing royalties, the advertising fund, technology charges, training and any transfer fee on a resale. Ask what the advertising fund pays for and whether it produces bookings in your area. Our guide to comparing franchise costs shows how to line these up across brands.

• Display bed replacement and who owns the beds.
• Delivery, set-up and old-mattress removal.
• Returns, exchanges and warranty handling.
• Advertising fund, royalties and technology charges.
• Lease terms for the showroom.